As I was looking through, and planning out the homeschool curriculum for the fall, I noticed that in both the first and third grade Literature and Science curriculum's they would be learning the same things this year: Themes, Categories, and Classification. I looked at how it was being taught....pages and pages of listing and writing. Honestly, I wouldn't want to be subjected to that, and I knew my kids wouldn't enjoy it either. I knew there had to be an easier way of teaching this that would be interesting and engaging, and could involve all three of my oldest kids at the same time. I had each of my kids tell me first what theme they wanted to do for their project, and then look through old magazines and cut out pictures that would go with their theme. It also happened to fall on a rainy day, so it was perfect! Next, we took some card stock and pasted the pictures on it in a collage form. Then we painted Mod-Podge glue over the top of the collage to seal and finish it. After they were all dried, we sat at the table and talked about their collages, and had them tell me about the themes, categories, and classifications in the picture. They had a blast doing it, and it was so much more enjoyable and interesting then listing pages and pages of pointless and meaningless words. Plus, it gave them a mental picture that will stick with them. The following are pictures of the collages the kids made.

Molly's collage- grade 3

Themes:

Red

Things that grow

Categories:

Flowers

Fruit

Classifications:

Roses

Lily's

Geraniums

Tulips

Apples

Strawberries

Luke's Collage- Grade 1

Theme:

Farms

Categories:

Animals

People

Classifications:

Cows

Turtle

Chickens

horses

sheep

Rabbits

boys

Joseph's Collage- age 2 1/2

Theme:

"Things I Yike (like)"